Greetings one and all. If you are sitting comfortably then I shall begin. Newsflash!!! Tonight, June 1st at 7pm, at the Apple Hall in Boonville, there will be an open community meeting to ‘Save our Health Center.’ The Center is facing some major financial difficulties and the community can help in a variety of ways. Find out what you can do.
The Lion's Club ‘TriTip and Chicken Barbeque’ (yes, there was chicken too!) to benefit the AV Elder Home was held last Sunday at the Redwood Grove in the Fairgrounds and, despite the winds and cool temperatures, numbers seemed a little higher than last year, perhaps 120. Last year, it was recalled, I complained that they ran out of beer and so there was plenty this time, leading to me being castigated by several of the organizers as I chose to drink wine on such a cold afternoon. I apologized profusely to my critics and the good news is that it was decided that the leftover cases of beer would be donated to the Senior Center for the upcoming Dinner and Bingo night on June 14th. See, my master plan worked!(?). The silent auction was a success, the crowd had a good time, friends checked in with friends, and the delicious chicken, cooked superbly I must say, was a hit alongside the always popular tri-tip. This all ensured that the second big Valley bbq event of the year (the first was the Animal Rescue fundraiser in April) was a success. Many thanks to the Elder Home Committee and the Lions Club volunteers for their tireless efforts.
The following day, Monday, May 30th at noon, I was pleased and humbled to be in attendance at the Memorial Day service at the Memorial Wall in the Evergreen Cemetery on AV Way. This is ultimately why the holiday weekend exists and a short but special event was presented by the AV American Legion to commemorate those who have died while serving in the military. The service was hosted by Mark Fontaine of the American Legion, and with an honor guard featuring the Legion’s Kirk Wilder, Dave Papke, Bob Nimmons, Patrick Ford, and Ray Langevin giving the gun-salute and Ellen Ingram reading out the names on the Memorial Wall of those from the Valley who have served and have now passed. I’m sure those folks in attendance, of which there were over 40, will have found the event both suitably reverential and very worthwhile. Among that 40 people was Freda Fox, former nurse to American Forces in London during World War 2, and many other Veterans, plus Supervisor Dan Hamburg, once again showing his support for an important community event. Add the unique Anderson Valley feature of ‘Taps’ being played on the trombone by Joe Patelle and I believe The Fallen we remembered on this day would have appreciated the efforts made in their name.
Public Service Announcements. Calendars and pens at the ready. #204: This Friday and Saturday are your final opportunities to see the AV Theater Guild’s annual production at The Grange. This year’s play, entitled 'Southern Hospitality', is written by the same author as last year's popular show, and the curtain will go up at 7pm on both evenings, June 3rd/4th. #205: The County Library Bookmobile will be in town once again on two Tuesdays this month – the 14th and 28th. Venues and times are: 9am-9.30am at Navarro Store before heading out to Comptche from 10.45 to 11.30am; then they will be returning to the Valley and The Floodgate Store from 1pm to 1.45pm; followed by a stop across from the Philo Post Office from 2pm-2.45pm; and finally at The Apple Hall in Boonville from 3pm-3.45pm. Remember, there are book drops at other times at the Navarro Store and the Boonville General Store and for further details call 463-4694. This is a special treat/service that we should continue to support, I’d suggest. #206: It’s not too late to get your tickets for this weekend’s event benefiting the Anderson Valley Ambulance Service: James Taylor Roberts’ Tour of His Home & Garden. Nationally renowned for outstanding design, Jim has been featured in Island Home, House & Garden, Trends and Options Magazines. This event will feature wine pairings with small tastes and local artisans will be displaying and selling their ornamental garden oriented sculptures, pots and totems on the central lawn. That’s Saturday, June 4, 2011, from 1-5pm; $40/person, sales limited to 250 tickets. For more information call Ginger Valen at 707-895-9424.
Moving quickly on to a couple of the topics under discussion this week at The Three-Dot Lounge. Yes it’s “Moans, Groans, Good Thoughts, and Rampant Rumors” from my favorite gathering place in the Valley.
…Regulars were very pleased to hear that for the first two of my Annual Big Five Awards, the voters have chosen AV establishments as this year’s winners. The carefully selected group of judges, led by yours truly, for the second year in succession has chosen the French fries at Lauren’s Restaurant as Best Fries in AV and Places Nearby Beyond — that area covers the Valley plus Ukiah, Cloverdale, and The Coast from Albion to Mendocino. The wonderful fries at Mendo Burgers in the town of Mendocino came in a very close second. In the other category to be decided at this time, for the Best Classic Spicy Wings, the recently opened Buckhorn, Boonville won their first Turkey Vulture Award when they just edged out some fine opposition from a couple of restaurants on the coast, with previous winner, The Mendocino Café, as this year’s runner-up. The wings at The Buckhorn are smothered in the very spicy and traditional Frank’s Hot Sauce and are served with a delicious Blue cheese. It’s very hard to find any better I’d venture to say. Coming up in the next month or so will be the other three Awards: Best Strawberries, Best Roast Beef Deli Sandwich, and of course the always competitive Best Classic Cheeseburger.
…And then there were two. I’m talking about the second foal that has now joined the two adult horses and other foal that have been providing quite a distraction for drivers as they drive past the field on the east side of Highway 128 just north of Breggo Cellars — a beautiful thing.
I’m outta here. With the hot weather almost with us, please remember to keep your windows cracked if you have pets in your vehicle. Otherwise, Keep the Faith; be careful out there; stay out of the ditches; think good thoughts; and may your god go with you, One final request, “Let us prey.” Humbly yours, Turkey Vulture. PS. Contact me with words of support/abuse either through the Letters Page or at turkeyvulture1@earthlink.net. PPS. On the sheep, Grace. PPPS. Is that ‘lafter’ I hear, Carroll?
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